Posts by Ashley Thornton
Calling Central Texas “Home”…Long-Term!
By Trey Crumpton Did you know that people have always loved living in Central Texas?…and I mean ALLLWAAAYS! There are archaeological sites in the Waco area which appear to have been continuously occupied by humans for at least 12,000 years. One of those is a rock shelter on the banks of the Brazos River in…
Read MoreWaco in the Palm of Your Hands
By Caitlin Giddens You can hold a piece of Waco in your hands. Creative Waco has released a deck of playing cards called “Waco 52.” Each card captures the spirit of Waco and McLennan County by featuring a piece created by a local artist. The Waco 52 cards are currently for sale, and each purchase…
Read MoreSmartBabies Initiative: Working Together for our Youngest Wacoans
By Ashley Weaver, Director of the SmartBabies Initiative, Waco Foundation In McLennan County, approximately 45% of women have their first child at age 21 or younger. Research tells us that children born to young mothers are at higher risk for low birth weight and infant mortality, have fewer skills and are less ready to enter…
Read MoreLooking back, looking forward
By Fallon Bain Having graduated from Waco High School hardly a week ago, I have yet to entirely wrap my head around what I just completed. Whoever told me that senior year would be simple assumed that I would not gleefully overcommit myself and would, instead, slow down to enjoy the ride. That was far…
Read MoreJuneteenth: A Day of Freedom and Remembrance
By Rachel E. Pate Looking back on some of my fondest childhood memories of growing up in Waco, I can remember summers filled with family, fun and celebrations. It seemed like every summer we visited Indian Spring Park along the Brazos to partake in the fanfare of the Juneteenth festivities. The crowd would be filled…
Read MoreWhat the Heck is AHEC?
By Karen Brown AHEC or Area Health Education Center, has been a part of the Waco community and region for nearly 20 years, but what the heck is it? Area Health Education Centers were first proposed by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education in the early 1970’s as a means of addressing the maldistribution of…
Read MoreRiverSounds Concert Series Returns to Bosque River Stage
by Candice Kelm For over five decades, McLennan Community College has established and pursued its mission to engage, educate, and enrich its community. MCC’s Visual & Performing Arts division takes the mission to heart in providing numerous performances throughout the year by students and professional artists in the College’s state-of-the-art performance facilities. RiverSounds, the annual…
Read MoreBecoming A “Work-Ready City”
By Christina Helmick One of the three main parts of the Prosper Waco mission is to help build an environment in which all members of our Waco community are able to improve their financial security. During our 2016 Annual Summit, Matt Meadors, President and CEO of the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, talked about upcoming…
Read MoreSummer Learning Opportunities
By Robin McDurham In a few short days, the teachers in Waco ISD will be giving our students hugs and high fives and send them home for summer. However, learning does not have to stop for ten weeks. There are several things families can do to engage the brain and prevent summer learning loss. Applying…
Read MoreI enjoyed Assistance League in Austin. Would it be a good fit for Waco?
by Estela Smith I appreciate the efforts of the hard-working folks of Waco, especially those in the nonprofit realm. Many success stories prove that their hard work is paying off. Like in many communities, however, the need is great. The non-profit organizations cannot do everything on their own. Volunteers can help. I can help! Until…
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